The highly anticipated release of the fourth season of Stranger Things goes to show that nostalgia is alive and well with audiences. The 1970s isn't nearly as flashy as the '80s, but many films set in that decade go a long way to capture the turbulent vibe of the era.
From Rock 'n Roll classics like Almost Famous to disco dramas like Saturday Night Fever, movies that take place in the '70s have their unique style that isn't matched by other period pieces. Though there are plenty of movies that capture the essence of the decade, some films gained much higher scores on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Runaways (2010) - 69%
The easiest way to capture the vibe of a decade is through its music, and The Runaways hoped to carve out a small piece of 1970s musical history. Recounting the rise of the band of the same name, the movie also explores the turbulent relationship between Joan Jett and Cherie Currie.
Part music biography and part coming of age story, the film's protagonists may be rock stars, but they are also teenagers as well. While most viewers may only remember The Runaways for their hit "Cherry Bomb", the film does an excellent job of exploring their short but influential run in the '70s. As for its aesthetics, the movie recreates famous looks with painstaking accuracy and gives the impression that well-known photographs have come to life.
Inherent Vice (2014) - 73%
Director Paul Thomas Anderson and the 1970s are a match made in cinema heaven, and he has often returned to the decade with great success. Inherent Vice is the story of a seedy Private Investigator who uses his unique skills to track down an ex-lover who has gone missing.
Helmed by Joaquin Phoenix, the film is not only a love letter to the decade but a love letter to the films of the decade as well. Recreating the styles of the time, without going overboard, Inherent Vice feels like it was ripped straight from the era it pays homage to. Aside from that, it is a well-made mystery that is often remembered as one of the best films about a Private Investigator in recent memory.
Saturday Night Fever (1977) - 82%
Films made in the 1970s often failed to capture the essence of the moment because they couldn't benefit from hindsight. However, Saturday Night Fever was a rare exception that had its finger on the pulse of the nation in 1977. Worried about his impending graduation, a New York teen finds solace and competition on the dance floor.
Now mostly remembered for its flashy disco sequences, the film is a gritty drama about the uncertainty of the late '70s. John Travolta is electrifying as Tony and gives one of the best performances of his career. Saturday Night Fever is ultimately about juxtaposition, and the film exquisitely compares Tony's life both on and off the dance floor.
20th Century Women (2016) - 88%
Decades often build off of one another, and 20th Century Women shows the failure of the 1960s, through the lens of the 1970s. The film follows a teenage boy who lives with his mother, and several other people who reside at his house as boarders in 1970s Southern California.
Mike Mills cleverly portrays 20th Century Women as a simple coming-of-age story, but the film slowly reveals itself to be so much more. Representing several generations in one film, the story is a lamentation of the failures of the free love generation that eventually led to the turmoil of the late '70s. Though light on the typical 1970s accouterments, the film is a snapshot of personal experience from the decade.
Almost Famous (2000) - 89%
Generally considered one of the best movies for Rock music fans, Almost Famous ties its story to the music culture of the 1970s. A high school student lands a job with Rolling Stone and is assigned to go on tour with one of the country's biggest upcoming acts.
Based on the life experience of writer/director Cameron Crowe, Almost Famous features a brilliant cast of characters that help to paint a picture of the era. All woven together is an intelligently plotted coming-of-age story, as well as a complicated look at the rise and fall of musicians in one of the most fertile periods of Rock 'n Roll royalty.
The Nice Guys (2016) - 91%
While some films paint a realistic and loving portrait of the 1970s, others prefer to go for a more hyper-stylized approach. The Nice Guys is the story of two Private Investigators who begrudgingly team up to find a missing girl.
Sidesplittingly hilarious and over-the-top, Shane Black's goofy sense of humor comes through brilliantly. The bright flashy colors are an exaggerated take on the '70s, and yet it still manages to feel grounded in its period. The real brilliance of the film though is the performances from Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling who play off of one another perfectly.
Licorice Pizza (2021) - 91%
Making films about historical events is one way to capture a period, but Licorice Pizza uses the events of the 1970s as a backdrop for its compelling tale. Alana is an aimless young woman who meets a driven teenage boy, and together they explore life in the odd world of the San Fernando Valley in the 1970s.
Never tipping its hand into the over-the-top territory, Licorice Pizza uses its set decoration and costume design to transport the audience to the early '70s. With inspired performances from actors like Tom Waits, the film is a treasure trove of memorable moments. As funny as it is dramatic, Licorice Pizza is stuffed to the gills with 1970s history.
American Hustle (2013) - 92%
Not every piece of history is positive, and American Hustle attempted to show the shadier side of the 1970s. A notorious con man and his partner are forced by the FBI to infiltrate the dangerous world of one of the most powerful mafiosos in New Jersey.
Anchored by brilliant performances and snappy dialogue, American Hustle would be a compelling story no matter what decade it took place in. However, its 1970s aesthetic adds another layer of intrigue, and it hovers in between realism and over-the-top kitsch. The waning days of the Mafia are a popular topic for films, but few did it with as much style as American Hustle.
Dazed And Confused (1993) - 92%
Hyper-nostalgic to the extreme, Dazed and Confused was the ultimate 1970s coming-of-age film. Set over one day, the film chronicles the adventures of several grade school students as they seek out fun and adventure on the last day of school in 1976.
Like most of Richard Linklater's best films, Dazed and Confused uses the instruments of cinema to tell as compelling a story as possible. From the art design to the music, and everything in between, every aspect of the film is included to enhance the experience of the film. That all adds up to a perfect summation of the teenage experience in the 1970s.
Boogie Nights (1997) - 93%
To say that Boogie Nights is just a movie about the 1970s pornography industry would be a gross simplification of what it is. The film revolves around the lives of a motley group of people who work in and around the porno business in the 1970s.
The cast is filled with clever and unique characters, and their exploits are explored throughout the film's bloated runtime. Though the porn industry is a backdrop, the film is really about relationships and how the world can chew people up and spit them out with little regard for their lives. Far from an idealistic view of the '70s, the film still pays homage to its decade without fawning over its darker aspects.